Zohran Mamdani, the likely new mayor of New York City, was 17 in December 2008 when his accomplished filmmaker mother Mira Nair, with son in tow, led a free walking tour of Delhi. She showed the stark realities of the lives of Indian street and working children. The small group walked the rough, narrow back allies with her to the New Delhi Railway Station in Paharganj, where Nair pointed up to the rafters, explaining how the kids often slept up there, clearly seeking greater safety. The tour culminated at one of the several shelters she has established – with her diminutive, white-haired mother, Praeen, supervising at the front desk. A huge roar of welcome went up when Mira entered the center’s main room filled with mostly boys, but some girls as well. One........

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